We had a restful night in the Davy Crockett National Forest during our first night in the van. We left the air conditioning on all night, which helped us sleep comfortably.

Our plan was to hit the road early to enjoy some cooler driving hours. However, we ended up getting a bit delayed trying to find our way out and stopping at the dump station, so we didn’t get going until around 7:45 am.

I brought along a fancy fan that can be filled with ice cubes. It works really well when held close to the body, but the ice only lasts about 15 minutes before needing to be replaced.

We drove through three states today: Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. It was a long day of driving, with the heat making it hard to stop for too long. When we reached Arkansas, we encountered a heavy rainstorm. It was a bit nerve-wracking driving through it with thunder overhead, but fortunately, it only lasted about 10 minutes before passing.

Now, we’re settled in a beautiful spot at Lake Chicot State Park in Arkansas, overlooking the lake. The temperature has dropped after the rain, and there’s a nice breeze coming off the lake. Mike even got a senior discount, so we’re only paying $29 for full hookup, including sewer, and a stunning view.

Last night, we slept comfortably without needing the air conditioning. Today, we’re aiming for Bankhead National Forest, which is about a six-hour drive from here.